Flute suspension plate

ABSTRACT

A textile machine is disclosed having a frame, a plurality of drafting sections each having three pairs of drafting rolls, and a suction flute for removing broken fibers and lint from the drafting rolls. A novel mounting means mounts the suction flute on the frame for movement along a predetermined path between an operating position adjacent the discharge side of the drafting rolls and a retracted position spaced from the drafting rolls. The mounting means includes a stud secured to the suction flute and a suspension plate rigidly secured to the frame. The suspension plate includes an opening for receiving the stud and for retaining the suction flute in its operating position and in its retracted position.

United States Patent [1 1 Kieronski et al.

[ June 17, 1975 1 FLUTE SUSPENSION PLATE [75] Inventors: John P. Kieronski; Richard F. Keon,

" both of Charlotte, NC.

[73] Assignee: Whitin Machine Works,

Incorporated, Whitinsville, Mass.

221 Filed: Sept. 24, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 399,686

[52] Cl 15/306 A [51] Int. Cl A471 5/38 [58] Field of Search 15/306 R, 306 A; 19/263; g 1 57/345 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,849,852 9/1953 Jacobi et al 57/345 1 2,956,389 10/1960 Berberich ct al. 57/345 Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McNenny, Farrington, Pearne & Gordon 57 ABSTRACT A textile machine is disclosed having a frame, a plurality of drafting sections each having three pairs of drafting rolls, and a suction flute for removing broken fibers and lint from the drafting rolls. A novel mounting means mounts the suction flute on the frame for movement along a predetermined path between an operating position adjacent the discharge side of the drafting rolls and a retracted position spaced from the drafting rolls. The mounting means includes a stud secured to the suction flute and a suspension plate rigidly secured to the frame. The suspension plate includes an opening for receiving the stud and for retaining the suction flute in its operating position and in its retracted position.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures FLUTE SUSPENSION PLATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Textile yarn processing machines, such as spinning and roving frames, include several drafting sections, each of which drafts a separate textile fiber strand. Each drafting section commonly includes several pairs of drafting rolls, and each such pair includes a top roll having a smooth resilient outer periphery and a steel bottom roll having a longitudinally ribbed periphery. The several pairs of rolls of each drafting section are commonly arranged in positions of laterally spaced adjacency on the machine, and the textile strand passes from a feed bobbin through each of the several pairs of rolls and is wound on a spindle bobbin.

As the textile strand passes through the rolls, stray broken fibers and lint spearate from the textile strand and must be collected. To collect such stray broken fibers and lint, suction flutes may be provided which include a longitudinally extending suction tube having suctidn openings adjacent each of several textile strands. The suction flutes may be movably mounted for movement between an operating position adjacent the discharge end of the last pair of rolls through which the textile strand passes and a retracted position spaced from the rolls to permit cleaning and servicing the rolls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a textile machine which includes a frame and a plurality of longitudinally spaced drafting sections disposed on the frame. Each drafting section includes several pairs of drafting rolls, and a longitudinally extending suction flute is provided for removing broken fibers and lint from the drafting rolls.

The invention provides a novel mounting means mounting the suction flute on the frame for movement along a predetermined path between an operating position adjacent the discharge side of the drafting rolls and a retracted position spaced from the drafting rolls to permit cleaning and servicing the rolls. The mounting means includes a stud rigidly secured to and projecting longitudinally from the suction flute and a suspension plate rigidly secured to the frame for receiving the stud and retaining the suction flute in its operating position and in its retracted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevational view of a textile machine according to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of one end of the suction flute for the textile machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the roll stand, bottom drafting roll, and flute suspension plate for the textile machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the flute suspension plate for the textile machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows the left side of a textile machine, which is a spinning frame in the disclosed embodiment. The right side of the machine is identical to the left side shown in the drawings and is omitted for brevity.

As shown in FIG. 1, the spinning frame includes a longitudinally extending frame 11 which carries a longitudinally extending support plate 12. The support plate 12 carries a plurality of roll stands 14, one of which is shown schematically in FIG. 1, and the roll stands 14 are spaced longitudinally along the support plate 12.

Adjacent roll stands 14, in a well-known manner, carry several drafting sections, each of which include three pairs of drafting rolls 15, 16, and 17. The pairs of drafting rolls 15, 16, and 17 include upper rolls 15a, 16a, and 17a, respectively, having a smooth resilient outer periphery and lower rolls 15b, 16b, and 1712, respectively, having a longitudinally ribbed steel outer periphery. A textile strand 18, in this case a roving strand, travels from a feed bobbin (not shown) spaced vertically above the drafting rolls, through the three pairs of drafting rolls 15, 16, and 17 to the discharge side of the drafting rolls, and is twisted and wound on a spindle bobbin (not shown) located vertically below the drafting rolls. Several such drafting sections are carried between adjacent roll stands 14, and each such drafting section works a separate roving strand.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a suction header 20 extends longitudinally along the textile frame 11. The suction header 20 is connected to a suitable vacuum pump (not shown) and lint collector (not shown) in a well-known manner to provide a source of vacuum to collect the stray broken threads and lint which separate from the textile strand 18 as the textile strand 18 passes through the three pairs of drafting rolls 15, 16, and 17.

Longitudinally spaced openings 21, one of which may be seen in FIG. 1, are provided at spaced locations along the suction header 20 between adjacent roll stands 14. A resilient elastomeric tubular spigot 22, which may be of rubber or other suitable flexible material, is received in the opening 21. The spigot 22 is connected by epoxy cement or other suitable connecting means to the right end of a tubular connecting tube 23. The left end of the connecting tube 23 is shaped to sealingly fit the contour of a suction flute 24, and the suction flute 24 and connecting tube 23 are rigidly held together by an epoxy cement or other suitable connecting means. In the preferred embodiment, both the connecting tube 23 and the suction flute 24 are of aluminum. By this arrangement, the suction flute 24 is connected to the vacuum of the suction header 20, and the flexible spigot 22 permits movement of the suction flute 24 and connector tube 23 relative to the suction header 20.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the upper and lower rolls 17a and 17b of the several drafting sections carried by the adjacent roll stands 14 are shown schematically. The lower rolls 17b are each formed as enlarged diameter serrated portions of a cylindrical steel shaft, and the upper rolls 17a are individually mounted between the roll stands 14. The suction flute 24 extends longitudinally between the adjacent roll stands 14, and suitable openings 25 are provided in the suction flute 24 at a discharge end of each drafting section. In this manner, the suction flute 24 picks up broken fibers and lint from each textile strand as it passes through its associated drafting section. It should be noted that there are many roll stands 14 disposed longitudinally along the support plate 12 although only two such roll stands are shown in FIG. 2, and the arrangement of the suction flute 24 and the drafting rolls 15, 16, and 17 shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2 is present between each adjacent pair of roll stands 14 along the textile machine.

Because of the close proximity of the suction flute 24 to the drafting rolls, it is necessary that the suction flute be arranged for movement from its operating position shown in FIG. 1 adjacent the discharge end of the drafting rolls 17 to a retracted position for cleaning and servicing the drafting rolls. This retracted position for the suction flute 24 in the preferred embodiment is shown in phantom in FIG. 1. To meet this requirement, the present invention provides a novel mounting means for mounting the suction flute 24 on the frame 11 of the textile machine.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting means provided by the present invention includes a stud 30 rigidly secured to and projecting longitudinally from each end of the suction flute 24. The stud 30 is machined from a suitable steel and includes a wrench receiving portion 31 and a threaded end portion 32. An end plug 33 of high impact styrene or other suitable hard material is disposed in each end of the suction flute 24. The end plug 33 carries a threaded steel insert 34 into which the threaded end 32 of the stud 30 is received. A steel end cap 35 is secured on each end of the suction flute 24. In this manner, the plug 33 and end cap 35 hold the stud 30 rigidly in the position shown in FIG. 3 in each end of the suction flute 24 and seal the ends of the suc tion flute 24 to prevent vacuum leakage.

The mounting means for mounting the suction flute 24 on the frame 11 of the textile machine also includes a flute suspension plate 40 bolted to each of the roll stands 14 between which the suction flute 24 extends. The positioning of the flute suspension plate 40 on the roll stands 14 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, and the structural details of the flute suspension plate 40 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each flute suspension plate 40 is a thin, flat plate of a suitable high strength, hard, resilient, thermoplastic resin, such as an acetal resin or nylon. The flute suspension plate 40 includes two elongated mounting holes 41 and 42 which extend through the plate for receiving the threaded fasteners which secure the flute suspension plate 40 to the roll stand 14 and allow proper positioning of the suspension plate 40 to allow movement of the suction flute 24 as described below. An inverted U-shaped opening 43 extends completely through the flute suspension plate 40. The inverted U-shaped opening 43 includes a first arcuate leg portion or opening portion 44, a second arcuate leg portion or opening portion 45, and a bight portion or opening portion 46 extending therebetween. The inverted U-shaped opening 43 defines a movable elongated cantilever tongue portion 47, and a detent portion 48 projects into the first leg portion 44 of the inverted U-shaped opening 43 opposite the top or free end of the cantilever tongue portion 47.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first leg portion 44 is defined by opposed arcuate walls 44a and 44b. The wall 44a is carried on the movable cantilever tongue portion 47 and the wall 441; is carried on the stationary portion of the plate 40, so that the leg portion 44 is defined by the movable wall 44a and the stationary wall 44b. The center of curvature (not shown) of the wall 44a is spaced vertically above the center of curvature (not shown) of the wall 44b. In this manner, the free or non-deflected normal or perpendicular distance between the opposed walls 44a and 44b is greatest adjacent the fixed end of the cantilever tongue portion 47, and this distance decreases substantially uniformly from the fixed end to the free end along the entire length of the first leg portion 44 until the detent 48 is reached. In this manner, the first leg portion 44 provides an arcuate opening which is tapered and which includes a stationary wall and a movable wall.

As further shown in FIG. 5, the normal distance between the opposed walls 44a and 44b at the fixed end of the cantilever tongue portion 47 is greater than the diameter or width of the stud 30 when the cantilever tongue portion 47 is in its free or non-deflected position. This is illustrated in FIG. 5 by the clearance shown at the fixed end of the cantilever tongue portion 47 between the stud 30 and the opposed walls 44a and 44b.

When the stud 30 is moved from the position at the fixed end of the cantilever tongue portion 47 shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 5, a location is reached at which the diameter of the stud 30 is equal to the normal distance between the opposed walls 44a and 44b. Because the normal distance between the walls 44a and 44b continues to decrease as the free end of the cantilever tongue portion 47 is approached, the stud 30 continues to deflect the cantilever tongue portion 47 as the stud 30 is moved upwardly as viewed in FIG. 5. When the detent portion 48 is reached, the stud 30 further deflects the cantilever tongue portion 47 and passes to the top side of the detent portion 48. The normal or perpendicular distance between the opposed walls of the bight portion 46 is also smaller than the diameter of the stud 30, so that the stud 30 is trapped in the first leg portion 44 and cannot pass to the second leg portion 45 under any conditions.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the suction flute 24 and the stud 30 are movable along a path defined by the stationary wall 44b of the opening 44 between an upper or operating position adjacent the discharge end of the drafting rolls and a lower or retracted position shown in phantom spaced from the drafting rolls to permit cleaning and servicing the drafting rolls. When the suction flute 24 is moved between these positions, the flexible spigot 22 deforms to permit this arcuate movement about the midpoint of the portion of the spigot 22 which engages the tube 23, and the elongated mounting holes 41 and 42 allow positioning of the flute suspension plate so that the radius of movement of the stud 30 about this midpoint of the spigot 22 corresponds to the radius of curvature of the stationary wall 44b.

Turning now to the operation of the stud 30 and the plate 40, when the suction flute 24 is in its upper or operating position shown in FIG. 1, the detent portion 48 holds the stud 30 at the top or free end of the first leg portion 44. Because the bight portion 46 is more narrow than the diameter or width of the stud 30, the stud 30 is retained in the position shown in FIG. 1. When the operator manually applies a sharp downward force on the flute 24, the cantilever tongue portion 47 deflects and moves into the space of the second leg portion so that the movable wall 44a permits the stud 30 to pass the detent portion 48.

Referring now to FIG. 5, continued downward movement of the suction flute 24 and the stud 30 is resisted by frictional-engagement of the walls 44a and 44b with the stud 30 until the stud 30 reaches the position shown in phantom in FIG. 5. Further downward movement of the stud 30 to the bottom or fixed end of the cantilever tongue portion 47 cannot jam the stud 30 at the bottom of the first leg portion 44, because the distance between the walls 44a and 44b at this location is greater than the diameter of the stud 30.

When the operator releases the suction flute 24 from the bottom position shown in FIG. 5, the resilience of the flexible spigot 22 urges the suction flute 24 and the stud 30 upwardly as viewed in FIG. 5. However, when the position of the stud 30 shown in phantom in FIG. 5 is reached, frictional engagement of the walls 44a and 44b with the stud 30 prevent further upward movement of the stud 30 so that the suction flute 24 is held in its retracted position.

When it is desired to return the suction flute 24 to its operating position, the operator manually applies a sharp upward force on the suction flute 24. As the stud 30 moves upwardly from the position shown in phantom in FIG. 5 the cantilever tongue portion 47 is deflected to the left. As the distance from the fixed end of the cantilever tongue portion 47 increases, the deflection of the cantilever tongue portion 47 also increases so that a frictional resistance to vertically upward movement of the stud 30 is maintained along the entire length of the leg portion 44 until the detent 48 is reached. When the detent 48 is reached, substantial further deformation of the cantilever tongue portion 47 permits the stud 30 to snap to the other side of the de tent portion 48, where it is held by the resilient force of the cantilever tongue portion 47 to hold the suction flute 24 in its operating position.

What is claimed is:

1. A textile machine comprising a frame, a vacuum source, a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of rolls disposed on said frame and having an inlet side and a discharge side, a longitudinally extending suction flute operatively connected to said vacuum source for removing broken fibers and lint from said rolls, mounting means mounting said suction flute on said frame for movement along a predetermined path between an operating position adjacent said discharge side of said rolls and a retracted position spaced from said rolls, said mounting means including a stud carried by said suction flute and movable with said suction flute between said operating position and said retracted position and a suspension plate rigidly secured to said frame, said suspension plate being a one piece flat plate of hard resilient material and having an inverted U- shaped opening defining a movable cantilever tongue portion having a fixed end and a free end, said inverted U-shaped opening extending completely through said suspension plate and including a first leg portion and a second leg portion and a bight portion extending between said leg portions, said first leg of said inverted U- shaped opening slidably receiving said stud and defining said path, said free end of said movable tongue portion being resiliently movable between a first position and a second position when said stud is moved between said operating position and said retracted position, and

said free end of said tongue portion being displaced into said second leg portion when said tongue is in one of said tongue positions.

2. A textile machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said bight portion has first and second spaced bight walls, and the normal distance between said first and second bight walls is less than the width of said stud whereby said stud is trapped in said first leg portion.

3. A textile machine as defined in claim 2 including a detent portion in said first leg portion at said free end of said tongue portion for retaining said suction flute in one of said suction flute positions, said first leg of said inverted U-shaped opening has first and second spaced leg walls, one of said leg walls carries said detent portion, the normal free distance between said detent portion and the other of said leg walls is less than the width of said stud, and said free end of said tongue portion is resiliently movable by said stud into said second leg portion to increase said normal distance between said leg walls when said suction flute is moved between said operating position and said retracted position.

4. A textile machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said detent portion holds said suction flute in said operating position near said free end of said tongue portion.

5. A textile machine as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said leg portions is arcuate.

6. A textile machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first leg portion includes first and second spaced leg walls, the free normal distance between said leg walls being greatest at said fixed end of said cantilever tongue portion, and said distance decreasing substantially uniformly from said fixed end to said free end along substantially the entire length of said first leg whereby said leg walls continuously frictionally engage said stud between said retracted position and said operating position to resist movement of said suction flute from said retracted position to said operating position.

7. A textile machine as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said leg walls is arcuate, and the center of curvature of one of said leg walls is spaced from the center of curvature of the other of said leg walls.

8. A textile machine as defined in claim 6 wherein said suspension plate includes a detent portion, and said detent portion is located at the free end of said cantilever tongue portion.

9. A textile machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said detent portion retains said suction flute in said operating position near said free end of said cantilever tongue portion, and said frictional engagement of said stud with said leg walls retains said suction flute in said retracted position near said fixed end of said cantilever tongue portion.

10. A textile machine as defined in claim 9 wherein the normal free distance between said leg walls adjacent said fixed end of said cantilever tongue portion is greater than the width of said stud, whereby said stud cannot be jammed at the end of said opening adjacent said fixed end of said cantilever tongue portion. 

1. A textile machine comprising a frame, a vacuum source, a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of rolls disposed on said frame and having an inlet side and a discharge side, a longitudinally extending suction flute operatively connected to said vacuum source for removing broken fibers and lint from said rolls, mounting means mounting said suction flute on said frame for movement along a predetermined path between an operating position adjacent said discharge side of said rolls and a retracted position spaced from said rolls, said mounting means including a stud carried by said suction flute and movable with said suction flute between said operating position and said retracted position and a suspension plate rigidly secured to said frame, said suspension plate being a one piece flat plate of hard resilient material and having an inverted U-shaped opening defining a movable cantilever tongue portion having a fixed end and a free end, said inverted U-shaped opening extending completely through said suspension plate and including a first leg portion and a second leg portion and a bight portion extending between said leg portions, said first leg of said inverted U-shaped opening slidably receiving said stud and defining said path, said free end of said movable tongue portion being resiliently movable between a first position and a second position when said stud is moved between said operating position and said retracted position, and said free end of said tongue portion being displaced into said second leg portion when said tongue is in one of said tongue positions.
 2. A textile machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said bight portion has first and second spaced bight walls, and the normal distance between said first and second bight walls is less than the width of said stud whereby said stud is trapped in said first leg portion.
 3. A textile machine as defined in claim 2 including a detent portion in said first leg portion at said free end of said tongue portion for retaining said suction flute in one of said suction flute positions, said first leg of said inverted U-shaped opening has first and second spaced leg walls, one of said leg walls carries said detent portion, the normal free distance between said detent portion and the other of said leg walls is less than the width of said stud, and said free end of said tongue portion is resiliently movable by said stud into said second leg portion to increase said normal distance between said leg walls when said suction flute is moved between said operating position and said retracted position.
 4. A textile machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said detent portion holds said suction flute in said operating position near said free end of said tongue portion.
 5. A textile machine as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said leg portions is arcuate.
 6. A textile machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first leg portion includes first and second spaced leg walls, the free normal distance between said leg walls being greatest at said fIxed end of said cantilever tongue portion, and said distance decreasing substantially uniformly from said fixed end to said free end along substantially the entire length of said first leg whereby said leg walls continuously frictionally engage said stud between said retracted position and said operating position to resist movement of said suction flute from said retracted position to said operating position.
 7. A textile machine as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said leg walls is arcuate, and the center of curvature of one of said leg walls is spaced from the center of curvature of the other of said leg walls.
 8. A textile machine as defined in claim 6 wherein said suspension plate includes a detent portion, and said detent portion is located at the free end of said cantilever tongue portion.
 9. A textile machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said detent portion retains said suction flute in said operating position near said free end of said cantilever tongue portion, and said frictional engagement of said stud with said leg walls retains said suction flute in said retracted position near said fixed end of said cantilever tongue portion.
 10. A textile machine as defined in claim 9 wherein the normal free distance between said leg walls adjacent said fixed end of said cantilever tongue portion is greater than the width of said stud, whereby said stud cannot be jammed at the end of said opening adjacent said fixed end of said cantilever tongue portion. 